Maison du Tourisme du Roman Païs
rue de Saintes, 48 - 1400 Nivelles - Belgique
Tél : + 32 (0) 67 22 04 44 Fax : +32 (0) 67 21 98 88
e-mail : info@tourisme-roman-pais.be
rue de Saintes, 48 - 1400 Nivelles - Belgique
Tél : + 32 (0) 67 22 04 44 Fax : +32 (0) 67 21 98 88
e-mail : info@tourisme-roman-pais.be
| The Collegiate Church of Saint Gertrude (Nivelles) |
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 With its impressive 102-metre nave, two opposing chancels, 11th-century crypt, archaeological relics and various treasures, the Collegiate Church of Saint Gertrude reigns over the Grand'Place of Nivelles and still bears its imposing lines with majesty. royal, then imperial, monastery after the coronation of Charlemagne, this edifice became one of the largest double chapters in Europe and now belongs to the exceptional heritage of Wallonia. A Romanesque abbey Church dominating the Grand'Place of Nivelles, the Collegiate Church of Saint Gertrude is distinguished by its purity of line and the overall balance of its form. Its origins go back to the Merovingian epoch, when the wife of Pippin of Landen founded an abbey in 650, the first abbess of which was their daughter Gertrude, the great-great-aunt of Charlemagne. Inside, its dimensions (102 metres long) impress the visitor, as does its Romanesque crypt – the largest in our region – the origins of which go back to the 11th century. Under the main nave, the cellar has been laid out to allow the visitor to discover the foundations of the five successive churches erected from the 7th to the 10th centuries. The cloister gives an idea of the abbey complex dedicated to Saint Gertrude. Only some parts, such as the south gable of the east transept and the west building front, date from the end of the 12th century, but are perfectly integrated into the whole. Flanked by two chancels facing one another in the Rhine Romanesque tradition, it was consecrated in 1046. Under the present 11th-century chancel, the crypt has accommodated incessant streams of pilgrims en route to Santiago de Compostela over the centuries. Dominating the whole, a central bell tower houses the bells and chimes, while the famous jacquemart Jean de Nivelles (Djan Djan) has been striking the hours and half-hours at the top of the south turret for six centuries. The Collegiate Church of Saint Gertrude (>Boutique) is accessible to the public every day from 9 am to 5 pm. Individual guided visits are possible every day at 2 pm. Additional visit on weekends and holidays at 3:30 pm. Individual or group guided visits are possible by reservation. Guides conduct visits in French, Dutch, German and English. Length of the visit: approximately 1h 30 min. "Discover the Collegiate Church of Saint Gertrude" New! Discover the result of the archaeological excavations conducted on the Grand' Place during development work in a free brochure. Produced by Martine Osterrieth and Elise Vernon. Download this file |
